Razor



Aug. 22, 1933. H, N, HUKILL `1,923,439

RAZOR Filed Dec. 28, 1931 rfO/VEK Patented ug. 22, 1933 UNITI-:D STATES RAZOR Harold N. Hukill, Inglewood, Calif.

Application December 28, 1931 Serial No. 583,46944 10 Claims.

My invention relates to razors, and particularly to razors which utilize a detachable blade having a cutting edge.

I have found that in employing a safety razor which utilizes a removable cutting blade it is often necessary or desirable, to shave the beard very close to the skin, for the user to twice move the` razor over the area to be shaved, the blade on its rst passage removingv the greater portion of the beard, and on its second passage cutting the beard very close to the skin.

It is a purpose of my invention to provide razorof the classdescribed which is capable of cutting the beard very close to the skin in one operation by subjecting the beard to two cutting operations simultaneously. y

More specically, it is an object of my invention to provide a razor of the class described which utilizes two blades, the cutting edges of` both of which simultaneously engage the skin from which the beard is to be removed, the cutting edge of one bladebeing immediately behind the .cutting edge of the other blade.

It is a further object of my invention to provide a razor of the class described which utilizes a plurality of blades of the same size.

It is common practice in the construction of safety razors to flex the blades so that the portion of the blade adjacent its edge is curved to make the desired angle with the surface to be shaved. In the razor of the ordinary construction employing 'a double edged blade, the portions adjacent the two cutting edges are curved in the same direction and with substantially the same degree of curvature. utilizing a plurality of double edged cutting blades of the same size, I have found it desi rble to pro,- vide a` razor which so flexes 'the blades that the portion of each of the blades adjacent their cutting edges on one side of the razor is curved in one direction and the portions of the blades ad- With a safety razor of the ordinary. construction which employs Ya double edged blade, it is extremely improbable that the ordinary user will subject the two cutting edgesof the blade to an equal amount of wear. Consequently, when the blade isdiscarded, usually one of its cutting edges r retains some utility for shaving. It is a purpose d In constructing a razorof my invention to provide a razor employing a double edged blade in which only one edge of the blade may be used for shaving without some adu justrnent to the razor, so that its user may accurately proportion the wear to which each of -the cutting edges of the blade is subjected.

In accordance with this object of my invention, it is one of. my purposes to provide a safety razor utilizing a double edged blade which includes a blade supporting member or head member either side of which may be detachably secured to the G5 handle. Q

- In order to facilitate the attachment of the head member to the handle, it is an object of my invention to provide a razor of the class described which may be easily and quickly snapped on to the bladeI supporting member or head member.' by the exertion and removall of slight pressure upon an actuating element associated with the handle.

It is still another object of my invention in order to facilitate the assembly of a plurality of blades with the blade supporting member to provide a blade supporting memberthe elementsy of which are swingably connected together Iat their ends and releasably secured together at S0 t their oppositeends.

It is a further object of nay-invention in order to facilitate the assembly of a razor employing a plurality .of blades to provide a razor having a head member which includes a plurality of ele- S5 ments with adjacent elements provided with cooperating guide means for indicating the correct y positions of these elements.

IIt is still another object of my invention to provide a razor utilizing a plurality of blades the 90 portions of yeach blade adjacent ,the cutting edges thereof being curved in the same direction and the blade more remote from the handle being of smaller size than the blade which 'is closer to the handle. rm v These and various .otheri objects and advantages of myinvention will be made evident in the following description whichn may vbemore readily understood by reference to theaccompanying drawing in which, 1 i Y Fig. 1 is an elevational view of one form of u{ny invention. i

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary view, partially sectioned, ofthe razor illustrated inFig. 1.

y Fig. 3 is a fragmentary sectional view taken as 105 indicated by theline 3-3 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary sectional View similar to Fig.-3 but with the movable parts in different positions. v

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary'view, partially sec- 110 tioned, taken as indicated by the line 5 5 of Fig. 2.

Fig.-6 is a fragmentary plan View taken as indicated by the arrow 6 of Fig. 5.

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary sectional view of an a1- ternative form of my invention.

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary sectional view taken as indicated by the line 8-8 of Fig. 7.

Fig. 9 is a fragmentary sectional view taken as indicated by the line 9-9 of Fig. 8.

Referring to the drawing, which is for illustrative purposes only, the numeral 11 indicates one form of the razor of my invention which includes a handle 12 of any suitable construction and a head member or blade supporting member 13. As is best illustrated in Fig. 2, the blade supporting member 13 includes three elements, a lower element or base 14, an intermediate member or spacer 15, and an upper element or cap 16. The base 14 is provided with a boss 17 having therein a cavity comprising an outer portion 18 and an inner enlarged portion 19 connected by an annular shoulder 20. Formed on the other side of the base 14 is a cavity or groove 2l which may be of any shape desired.

The lower surface of the spacer4 15 is provided with a projection 22 of a shape such that it ts snugly within the groove 21 of the base 14. On the opposite side of the spacer 15 there is formed a projection 23 of a shape such that it will t snugly within a cavity or groove 24 formed in the lower surface of the cap 16. The upper surface of the cap 16 is provided with a boss 25 having a cavity therein which comprises an outer portion 26 and an inner enlarged portion 27 connected by a shoulder 28, the boss 25, openings 26 and 27, and shoulder 28 being identical with the boss 17, openings 18 and 19, and shoulder 20 previously described.

Disposed between the base 14and spacer 15 is a lower blade 29 having cutting edges 30 and 31 and provided with an opening 32 of substantially the same size and shape as the cavity or groove 21 of the base 14. Disposed between the spacer 15 and the cap 16 is an upper blade 33 having cutting edges 34 and 35 andan opening 36 of approximately the same size and shape as the cavity or groove v24 in the cap 16.

As is well illustrated in Fig. 2, one side of the base 14 gradually decreases in thickness from the boss 17 to the ends thereof, and is provided with a curved portion, as indicated by the numeral 37. That portion of the base 14 adjacent its opposite edge is curved in a reverse direction, as indicated by the numeral 38 of Fig. 2, and provided with a. plurality of guard teeth 39 which are likewise curved in a direction opposite to the direction of curvature of the portion 37 of the base 14.

That portion of the spacer 15 which is adjacent the curved portion 37 of the base 14 likewise gradually diminishes in thickness and is curved in the direction of curvature of the .portion 37 -of the base. 14 and with substantially'the same degree of curvature, as indicated by the numeral 40 of Fig. 2. v The portion of the spacer 15 adjacent its other edge is also diminished in thickness and curved, as indicated by the numeral 41 of Fig. 2, the curvature of the portion 41 being in a direction opposite to the curvature of the portion 40 of the spacer 15 and of approximately the same degree as the curvature of the guard teeth 39. The cap 16 is-formed identical with the base 14 previously described with curved por-l tions 37 and 38 and guard teeth 39.

When the lower blade 29 is disposed between the base 14 and the spacer 15, and the head member 13 is properly assembled, a portion of the lower blade 29 adjacent its edge 30 is curved towards the lhandle 12 due to the curvature of the portion 4l of the spacer 15 and the portion 38 of the base 14. This curvature of the lower blade 29 is substantially of the same degree as the curvature of the guard teeth 39, with the edge 30 of the lower blade 29 separated a short distance-from the surface of the guard teeth 39. Due to the curvature of the portion 38 of the base 14, there is provided a space 42 between the lower blade 29 and the base 14 for the reception of the cut beard. f

That portion of the lower blade 29 adjacent its other cutting edge 31 is curved away from the handle 12 duc to the curved portions 37 and 40 of the base 14 and the spacer 15, respectively. The degree of curvature of this portion of the -lower blade 29 may be substantially equal to the degree of curvature of that portion of the lower blade adjacent its other cutting edge 30.

The upper blade 33 is curved adjacent its cutting edge 34 towards the handle 12 due to the curved portions 4l and 37 of the spacer 15 and the cap 16, respectively. The cutting edge 34 of the upper blade 33 is closer to the extended axis of the handle l2 than the cutting edge 30 of the lower blade 29 so that the plane of the cutting edges 30 and 34 is substantially tangential to the curved guard teeth 39, thus permitting the` guard teeth 39 and thecutting edges 30 and 34 to simultaneously engage the surface to be shaved. That portion of the upper blade 33 which is adjacent its cutting edge 35 is curved away from the handle l2 by virtue of the curved portions 40 and 38 of the spacer l5 and the cap 16, respectively. 'The cutting edge 35 of the and the cap 16 by the curved portion 38 of the cap 16. If it is desired the'upper surface of the base 14 adjacent the beginning of the curved portion 37 and the lower surface of the cap 16 adjacent the beginning of the curved portion 37 may be separated from the adjacent surface of the spacer 15 by a space-44 to facilitate the flexing of the blades 29 and 33, respectively.

The handle 12 may be of any shape desired, and is provided with a hollow `cylindrical portion 45 having formed at its end a projection 46 extending radially outwardly. Formed in the cylindrical portion 45 of the handle l2 opposite the projection 46 are a slot 47 and an opening 48. Extending through the slot 47 is an engaging portion or projection 49 of an engaging member or arm 50 which extends intol the hollow cylindrical portion 45 of the handle 12. Secured to the inner end of theengagin:` member 50 is an actuating button 51 which projects through the opening 48 of the handle l2. Likewise secured to the engaging member 50 is a spring 52 having two leaves, each of which engages the -interior wall of the hollow cylindrical portion ifi() negarse sions as to rit snugly with the enlarged portions la or 27 or the cavities provided in the bosses 1t and 25, respectively, so that when the engag-1 ing member 50 is in the position illustrated in Fig. 2 the handle 12 is securely attached to the lease 1d.

As is well illustrated in Fig. 5, outwardly extending projections 53 connected by a pin 52i are formed on one end of the spacer 15 adjacent its curved portions l0 and dl. The end of the base ld is provided with an arm 55 which is swingably mounted upon the pin 5d, and the cap i6 is provided with an arm 56 which is likewise swingably mounted on the pin 54. lll and the cap 16 may be swung away from the spacer ,l5 and about the pin 5t. Attached to the upper surface of the cap 16 at its other end is a clip 57 provided with a flange 56. The clip i 57 is adapted to be swung around the end or the Sii cap i6, the spacer and the base 1d from its engaging position in which the flange 56 engages lower surfaceV of the base la to retain the lmember or blade supporting. member i3 in r assembled position to its disengaging positi in which the flange 56 is moved out or with the base 1d, thus permitting the it and the cap i6 to be moved relative to spacer l5.

this embodiment or my inventionk the clip being in its disengaged position, the base d the cap 16 are swung relative to the spacer and about the sin ai. 'rne rondes 2e and as are then insertedon the lower and upper sides oi the il@ i j spacer l5, respectively. It should be evident that the blades 29 and 33 are of the same dimensions, the openings 32 and 36 therein being identical, so that a standard blade maybe used either above or below the spacer l5. The base ld and the cap i6 are then swung about the pirrd to the position in which they are illustrated in Fig. 2, these members being accurately centered in this position by the cooperation of the projections 22 and 23 of the spacer 15 with the openings 21 and or the base la and the cap i6, respectively. The clip 57 is then swung into engaging position and the flange 56 engages the base it so as to retain the blade supporting member in its as-l sembled form. f i

The actuating button 5l of the handle l2 is then depressed, lthus causing the engaging member 50 to move perpendicularly. to the axis or the handle 12 until the projection 49 of the engaging member Sois a lesser distance from the axis of the handle Al2 than the outer surface of the hollow cylindrical portion-45 of the handle l2. As is well illustrated in Fig. 4, the handle. 12 may then be inserted' in the cavity formed in the boss 17. The actuating button 51 is then released and the spring 52 urges the engaging member 59 into contact with the inner wall of the hollow cylindrical portion 45 of the handle 12 so that the projection 49 of the engager 5o moves into the enlarged portion 19 and urges the projection 46 of thehandle 12' into the enlarged portion 19 of the cavity formedun the boss 1'?\. Bothvprojections i9 and 46 in this position engage the annular shoulder between the enlarged portion-19 and the reduced portion 18 of the cavity, as illustrated in Figs. 2 and 3.

If now the razor be utilized in the ordinary manner, the cutting edge of the lower blade 29 will operate to cut the beard in the customary manner. However, if the blade supporting member 13 be held at that angle with/the surface to p be shaved which permits the cutting edgef 30 to Thus the basel cut the beard therefrom, the cutting edge 3d ofthe upper blade 33 will likewise engage this surface immediately behind and parallel 'to the line of engagement of the cutting edge 30 with the surface. The cutting edges 30 and 34, therefore,` simultaneously perform the shaving action. lf desired, the cap 16 and the upper blade 33 may be offset relative to the spacer l5 so that the amount of the upper blade 33 which projects beyond the cap 16 )is diierent from the amount of the lower blade 29 which projects beyond the spacer l5, thus providing a diierence in the beard cutting tendencies( or the two blades. Utilizing the razor of my invention in this manner, it is' :found that the cutting edge 30 removes the greater portion of the beard and the cutting edge 34 removes the remaining portion of the beard so that by drawing the razor once over the surface to be shaved,'all o1 the beard is cut very close to the surface and a close shave is provided.

lt should be evident that this embodiment of my Vinvention provides a razor employing two blades, the cutting edges of which simultaneously cut the beard so that it is necessary to draw the razor over the surface to be shaved only once.

When the cutting edges 3U and 34; of the blades 29 and 33, respectively', become dulled, the acn tuating button 5l is depressed, thus moving the projection 49' or the engaging member 50 out of contact with the annulaishoulder 20 of the boss l?.

The handle 12 is then moved so that the projection d6 of the handle l2 is :moved out of engagement with the annular shoulder 20 and the handle 12 isY removed from the bladesupporting member 13. 'lhe handle l2 may then be connected to the boss 25 0; the cap 16 in the manner previously described and the cutting edges 35 and 3l of the upper blade 33 and 29 respectively are then made available for shaving. By this con-z struction the user or the razor is able to accurately apportion the wear to which the two cutting edges of each of the blades is subjected so nient 6d, and an upper element 65. The lower element 63 is provided with a curved portion 66 adjacent each of its edges and with guard teeth 67 curved towards the handle 62. The intermediate element 6d is curved towards the handle 62 and gradually diminishes in thickness at its outer edges, as indicated bythe numeral 66 of Fig. 7. The upper element 65 is likewise curved 'towards the handle 62 and may likewise be diminished in thickness adjacent its edges, as indicated by the numeral 69 of Fig. 7.

Formed on the upper element 65 is a threaded projection 70 which extends through central cylindrical openings '71 and 72 formed in the intermediate element 64 and the, lower element 63, respectively. The end of the threaded pro jection '70 extends into a cavity 73 in the end of the handle 62. The walls of the cavity 73 are lthreaded so that the handle 62 may be secured to the threaded projection 7o with the end of the handle 62 4engaging the lower surface of the lower The intermediate member 64 is likewise provided with a longitudinal fin 76 adapted to t snuglywithin a longitudinal groove 77 formed in the middle of the upper surface of the lower element 63. The ns 74 and 76 and the groove 75 and -77 are well illustrated in Figs. 8 and 9 of the drawing.

, Disposed between the lower element 63 and the intermediate element 64 is a lower blade 78 having two cutting edges 79 and 80. The lower' blade 78 is provided with a central opening through which the threaded projection 70 may extend,

. and a longitudinal opening through which the iin 76 of the intermediate member 64 may extend. Disposed between the intermediate member 64 and the upper member 65 is an upper blade 81 having two cutting edges 82 and 83. The upper blade 81 is likewise provided with a central opening permitting the extension of the threaded .projection therethrough and a longitudinal opening for the extension therethrough of the fin 74 of the upper element 65.

As is Well illustrated in Figs. 7 and 9, the intermediate element 64 is of a width less than `the width of the lower element 62 and the upper element 65 is of a width less than the width of the intermediate element 64.r Likewise, the width of the upper blade 81 is less than the width of the lower blade 78.

In assembling this embodiment of my invention the lower blade 79 is placed between the lower element 63 and the intermediate member 64, the three' being accurately aligned by the extension of the fm 76 of the intermediate element 64 through the lower blade 78 and into the groove 77 of the lower element 63. The upper blade 81 is disposed between the intermediate element -64 and the upper element 65, and is accurately centered in this position by the same means. When the' elements of the blade supporting member 61 are assembled in this position, the threaded projection 70 extends through the lower element 67 and the handle 62 is threaded thereon. `It is obvious that the degree of compression to which the blades 78 and 81 are subjected by the threading of the handle 6 2 against the lower element 67 will vary the extent to which the cutting edges of theblades 78 and 82 project beyond the elements 63 and 64 of the bladesu'pporting member 61.

When assembled in this position the razor is utilized in the ordinary manner so that the guard 67 and one of the cutting edges of tlie lower blade 78 simultaneously engage the surface to be shaved. With the blade supporting'member 61 making this angle with the surface to be shaved, the cutting edge of the upper blade 81 will likewise engagethis surface so that the two cutting blades 78 and 81 simultaneously cut the beard from the surface. Thus with this embodiment of my invention, as with that form previously described, it is necessary to draw the razor only -once over the surface to be shaved to secure a complete removal of! the beard therefrom.

While I have described that embodiment of my invention illustrated in Figs. 7 to 9, inclusive, as having guide ns upon the upper and intermediate elements 65 and 64, respectively, and'oorresponding grooves in the adjacent elements, and while I have described that embodiment of my invention illustrated in Figs. 1 to 6, inclusive, as having guide projections 22 and 23 upon the spacer l5 with corresponding cavities in the adjacent members, it is at once evident .that there may be provided different means upon different elements for indicating the correct assembly of' the component parts of the blade supporting members and for retaining them in their proper positions relative to each other. Likewise, while the two embodiments of my invention which have been described utilize blades each of which hasitwo cutting edges, it is obvious that an embodiment utilizing blades each of which has only one cutting edge is within the scope of my invention.

It should now be evident that by my invention I have provided a razor utilizing a plurality of blades so that the surface to be shaved is subjected to the' contact of a plurality of cutting edges simultaneously. It should further be evident that in that embodiment of my invention illustrated in Figs. 1 to 6, inclusive, I have provided a razor employing a plurality of blades, portions of which are curved in opposite directions and with which only one edge of each of the blades may be used without some adjustment of the razor, so that its user may accurately proportion the wear to which each of the cuttingedges is subjected. It should also be obvious that in that embodiment of my invention referred to there is provided a razor comprising a head member and a handle, in which the handle may be easily and quickly snapped on to either side of the head member by the exertion and removal of slight pressure upon an actuating element associated with the handle. This embodiment of my invention also provides a razor utilizing a plurality of blades in which the different elements of the blade supporting member are swingably connected together at their ends and removably secured at their opposite ends.

It is likewise apparent that'in the embodiment of my invention illustrated in Figs. 7 to 9, inclusive, I have provided a device which accomplishes the initially stated object of providing a razor utilizing a plurality of blades, the blade more remote from the handle being of smaller size than the blade which is closer to the handle.

While those embodiments of my invention previously illustrated and described are fully capable of performing all of the objects and providing all of the advantages set forth, there are various other embodiments yof my invention which are likewise capable of performing these objects and providing these advantages, and I therefore wish my invention to be understood as not restricted to the specic embodiments' set forth.

I claim as my invention:

1. In a razor, the combination of a handle; a head member associated with said handle and including lower, intermediate and upper elements; hinge means connecting said upper and lower elements to said intermediate elements so that they may swing relative thereto; a lower blade disposed between said lower and said intermediate elements, said blade having a cutting edge; and an upper blade disposed between said vintermediate element and said upper element, said upper blade having a cutting edge parallel to said cutting edge of said lower blade.

2. In a razor, the combination of: -a'handle.; a head member associated with said handle and including lower, intermediate and upper elements;

Legame hinge means connecting said elements together i'll at their ends -so that said upper and lower elements may be swung relative to said intermediate element; clip means releasably connecting the other ends of said elements; a lower blade disposed between said lower and said intermediate elements, said blade having a cutting edge; and an upper blade disposed between said intermediate element and said upper element, said upper blade having a cutting edge parallel to said cutting edge ofsaid lower blade.

3. In a razor, the combination of: a handle; a head member the edges oi which are curved in opposite directions; two blades supported in said head member with their cutting edges parallel and in side-by-side relationship; and means associated with each side of said head member for connecting said handle to either side oi'said head member.

4. In a razor utilizing a cutting blade, the combination of: a handle; an engager associated with said handle; actuating means connected to said engager and adapted to move said engager between engaging and non-engaging positions; and a blade supporting head member having a cavity in each side thereof, each of said cavities being of such dimensions that the end of said handle may be inserted therein when said engager is in non-engaging position and locked therein when said engager is in engaging position.

5. In a razor utilizing a cutting blade, the combination of a handle; an engager associated with said handle and movable from retracted to extended position; means resilientljgJ urging said engager into extended position; actuating means connected to said engager and adapted to move said engager'to retracted position; a blade supporting head member adapted to deform said blade which it supports so that portions of the halves of said blade are concaved in opposite directions; and walls associated with each side of said head member and defining an opening into which said handle may be extended when said engager Yis in retracted position, said engager engaging said walls when in extended position. to lock said handle to said head member.

6. In a razor, the combination of: a handle; a head member the sides of which are curved in opposite directions, said head member including lower, -intermediate and upper elements;

hinge means connecting said elements so that.

they may swing relative to each other; two blades supported in said head member; and means on the lower surface of said lower element and the upper surface of said upper element for connecting said handle to said head member.

7. In a razor, the combination of: a handle; a head member the edges of which are curved in opposite directions, said head member including lower, intermediate and upper elements, said i 5 f? upper element having a cavity in its top andsaid lower element having a cavity in its bottom; hinge means connecting said elements so that they may swing relative to each other; two blades supported in said head member; engaging means associated with said handle and adapted to engage the walls of either of said cavities to lock said head member to said handle; and pressure actuated means for moving said engaging means between engaging and nonengaging positions.

8. In a razor, the combination of: a handle; a head member the sides of which are curved in opposite directions, said head member including lower, intermediate and upper elements; hinge means connecting the ends of said elements soA thatthey may swing relative to each other; fastening means connected to the opposite end of one of said elements and adapted for relatively securing said elements against movement relative to each other; two blades supported in said head member; and means on the lower surface of said lower element and theupper surface of said upper element for connecting said handlev to said head member.

il. In a razor, the combination of: a handle; a head member having an opening in its Atop and bottom, .said head member comprising a plurality oi relatively movable elements; hin'ge means connecting the ends of said elements so that said elements may be swung relative to each other; a double edged blade supported in said head member so that its halves are curved in opposite directions; engaging means attached to said handle andadapted `to project into either of said openings to lock said handle to said head U0 member; and actuating means for moving said I other; a double edged blade supported in said head member so that its halves are curved .in y opposite directions; a projectionat the end of said handle; a movable member vassociated with the end of said handle and adapted when in expanded position within either of said open-1 ings for cooperating with said. projection for locking said handle to said head member; and spring means connected to said movable member for urging it into expanded position, said movable member having a portion` projecting @30 from the side of said handle so that pressure upon said portion moves said movable member into contracted position. i

HAROLD i' iso CERTIFICATE O F CORRECTION.

Patent No. 1,923,439. August zz, 1933.

` HAROLD N. HUKILL.

It is hereby certified that error appears in the printed specification oLthef above numbered patent requiring correction as follows: Page 5, line 93, claim 8, for "relatively" read "releasably"; and that the saidy Letters Patent should bef read with this correction therein that the same may conform to the record of the case in the Patent Office.

Signed and sealed this 24th day ot October, A. D. 1933.

F. M. Hopkins (Seal) Acting Commissioner of Patents. 

